In Ireland, over 90% of harvested timber comes from Sitka spruce forests, which produce a wide range of products including pallets, packaging, timber fencing, and construction timber. These products store carbon, and their lifespan determines how long this carbon remains sequestered. Products with a short lifespan will decompose quickly, releasing carbon back into the atmosphere, while timber used in construction stores carbon for a much longer period.
Sitka spruce thrives in maritime climates, and its growth rate in Irish forests is exceptional, with yields among the highest for forest tree species. Irish forests can produce up to 34 tonnes of stem wood per hectare per year. With more than 300,000 hectares of Sitka spruce planted, this vigorous biomass represents a substantial carbon store, estimated at 2.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, accounting for 75% of the carbon stored in Irish forests.
Mark McAuley, the director of Forest Industries Ireland (FII), advocates for using more native-grown timber for building homes and expanding the export market. He states, “We are generating enough high-quality timber to build hundreds of thousands of sustainable, home-grown houses.” He also emphasizes that softwood production is a financially viable option for Irish agriculture, helping diversify land use and meet climate change goals while providing strong financial returns for farmers.
Sitka spruce is often planted alongside other conifers like Norway spruce and Douglas fir. These mixtures, along with pockets of birch or alder, enhance biodiversity and improve the visual appeal of Sitka spruce woodlands in the landscape.
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